A tender offer was launched for Carter Hawley.

As expected, Retail Partners--a venture involving the Limited and developer Edward J. DeBartolo Sr.--is beginning today a tender offer for shares in Carter Hawley Hale Stores, parent of the Broadway and Neiman-Marcus. The offer--for $55 per common share, with a slight premium to be paid for preferred shares--will expire Dec. 29. Carter Hawley has yet to respond to the takeover proposal, and a spokesman Sunday had no comment. The tender offer will be managed by the Lazard Freres investment house.